phrenology (head-reading)

Study of human skulls with the purported aim of learning personality traits and mental capacity. Phrenologic considerations include the shape of the skull, the size and location of protrusions thereon, and hair growth. Drs. F.J. Gall (1756-1828) and J.G. Spurzheim, coauthors of The Physiognomical System, were notable pioneers in the field.